[1643/6/30]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The which day Mr [John] Corbett gave in to the convention the declaration underwritten from the houses of the parliament of England, which being read in hearing of the estates, they recommend to the committee for the remedies to consider thereof and their opinion of what answer shall be returned thereto. Of the which declaration, the tenor follows:
Tuesday 27 June 1643
We, the lords and commons assembled in the parliament of England, cannot doubt but our brethren, the estates of the kingdom of Scotland, will duly consider with what difficulties, miseries and distractions we are enforced daily to wrestle even for the life and being both of the church and state, whereby our endeavours and means are diverted from many occasions much importing the honour and safety of this kingdom. Amongst which we take it for a great unhappiness and inconvenience that we cannot so speedily and readily send our committees to the kingdom of Scotland as we intended, and very earnestly desired to treat and conclude those matters which concern both kingdoms in respect of the Scottish army now employed for our assistance in Ireland, and the satisfaction of the arrears due to them and the other debts for which we stand engaged to that state, and for other matters concerning the good of both kingdoms; in which notwithstanding we have been interrupted by the manifold dangerous practices lately discovered, which required a present inquisition and prevention. Yet, in the midst of all our distempers, we are resolved that some members of both houses of parliament shall be forthwith sent into Scotland for the purposes above-mentioned, and with all possible speed do prepare such instructions as will be necessary in that behalf; and, in the meantime, have sent this bearer, John Corbett, esquire, to acquaint our brethren with our present state and condition, and to inform them truly of the grounds of our proceedings, that all misapprehension and aspersions may be taken off and removed, which we doubt not will by the malice and subtility of the enemies, the evil councillors about his majesty, be endeavoured to be cast upon us. We have likewise commanded Mr Welden now residing with you and this sent to present to the states of that kingdom a declaration sent by us to the lords of secret council in November last, the answer to which we have since refrained to press, both in regard we conceived it could not be effectually made but by the assembly of the estates, and we have been for the most part entertained with treaties and propositions, out of which we have some hope a happy peace might have been produced. In respect of which, being frustrated by the prevailing party of papists and other ill-affected persons about the king, we have great cause to commend it to the Christian wisdom and brotherly affection of the Scottish nation and state, to consider how by their concurrent advice and assistance the faction of papist bishops and other malignants of this kingdom may be suppressed, the ruin of religion and liberty here prevented, and thereby their own enjoying of both the better preserved and established. Towards the affecting whereof, we conceive it will very much contribute that, by the consultation and advice of the assembly of divines intended to be had here upon 1 July next, the reformation in church discipline and ceremonies so much longed for by us may be agreed and confirmed; and having been invited by public letters from the general assembly of the church of Scotland and lords of the secret council to a nearer union with those churches in matters concerning religion and church government, we do with more confidence desire and expect that some godly and learned divines may be sent from there who may assist in that assembly for the accomplishing a work so much tending to the honour of God, the happiness, peace and more firm conjunction of both nations; and therefore do likewise very earnestly commend the same to the judgement and resolution of the estates of Scotland.
Signed thus,
John Brown, clerk of parliament; H[enry] Elsynge, clerk of of the lords and commons of parliament.
[1643/6/31]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The convention of estates presently convened, for certain good considerations tending to the well-being and peace of the kingdom, have thought fit and concluded and accordingly ordain messengers of arms to pass and, in his majesty's name and authority, command and charge George, marquis of Huntly, James, lord Ogilvy, John [Maxwell], lord Herries [of Terregles] and George [Ogilvy], lord Banff, personally, if they can be apprehended, and failing thereof at their dwelling places and by open proclamation at the market cross of the head burgh of the shire where they dwell, to compear personally before the said estates at Edinburgh or where it shall happen them to be for the time on 4 August next to come, provided to find good and sufficient caution for keeping of the peace and behaving themselves in a peaceable and quiet way, according to the laws of the kingdom; and to hear and see further order taken for the good and peace of the kingdom as the estates shall think fit under the pain of rebellion and of putting them to the horn; with certification to them if they fail and compear not, letters will be directed simply to put them to the horn. And it is hereby declared that for preventing all the occasions of excuse for the non-appearance of any of the said persons by reason of civil hornings, that they shall be protected by the estates for the space of five days before their compearance and for the space of 10 days thereafter, discharging etc.